Find Happiness This Time

An invisible force clenched my heart in a merciless grip.

Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead like raindrops. Every tick of the clock hammered against my chest, each second a tormenting reminder of the passing time.

I picked up the paper card with trembling hands, my lips quivering as I forced myself to speak.

"There's still time," I said, my voice shaky but desperate. "We're withdrawing money from different banks. The amount you're asking for is too much—it takes time to gather it all."

The kidnapper on the other end let out a derisive laugh.

"With an empire like the Bells, you mean to tell me you don't have this kind of cash on hand?"

I was so tense I didn't dare respond.

In those fleeting seconds of silence, something caught my attention—a faint, familiar sound in the background. It was the distinct whistle of a train.

The officers monitoring the call noticed it too, signaling for me to stall for more time.

"Let me hear their voices again," I pleaded, grasping at any opportunity to ensure my parents' safety. "I need to make sure they're okay."

The kidnapper's voice turned venomous, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Do you think you're some kind of princess? Everyone's supposed to cater to you? You've got thirty minutes left. No money, no parents. End of story!"

The line went dead, and with it, the time limit was cut in half.

Talking sense with these criminals was impossible.

The room descended into chaos as the officers scrambled to coordinate with banks, trying to secure the cash as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, I bit down hard on my lip and shut my eyes, replaying the final moments of the call in my mind.

I was sure of it—just before the call ended, I heard it—the faint yet unmistakable howl of wind, like a ghostly wail echoing through an empty tunnel.

Gripping the arm of the officer closest to me, I demanded, "Play back the recording. The last few seconds. Hurry!"

My urgency startled everyone, but they complied without hesitation.

As the recording played, the haunting sound of the wind emerged again, faint but clear. It was unmistakable.

I shot to my feet, my heart racing.

"I know where my parents are!"